Bottle anti-theft device



g- 1965 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR. ETAL 3,199,708

BOTTLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20, 1963 32A A 22A 42A 4 l b /44A? 483A IOB i -514 J 52A George A. Arkwright .2 J47 7 MRNEYS Aug. 10, 1965 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR, ETAL 3,199,703

BOTTLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE Filed Dec. 20, 1963 3 SheetsSheet 3 fi 7. if

1 NV E N TORS BernardfdwardSh/eshger, Jn George .4. Arkwright ATTORNEYS United States Patent 0 3,1927% AN'iLi-T DEVI CE Bernard Edward Shiesinger, Era, Annandale, and George A. Arkwright, Alexandria, Va, assignors of one third to Each Y. Dinsmore, Silver Spring, Bid.

Dec. 2%, 19x33, Ser. No. 332488 16 Ciairns. (El. 217-19) This invention relates to container holders or racks of the bottle type and more particularly to means for preventing the unauthorized removal of bottles from the holder or rack. One of the great problems associated with soft drink dispensing machines of the bottle type is that of the theft of bottles from the racks by small boys who take the empties to a super market to obtain the deposit on the bottles. The loss of bottles to the vendor or to the licensee of the equipment is substantial and in some areas where bottle vending machines are installed, such as apartments etc., the loss can be as much as 100%. The upplier or the machine lessee must pay the bottling company for the loss. It is obvious therefore that the profit margin is cut into substantially when recovery of used bottles is low.

It is a prime object of this invention to reduce theft of bottles thereby increasing the profit margin to the supplier or lessee as the case may be.

It is well known that completely fool proof anti-theft devices can be made, but in many instances they are un necessary. If the bottle is diificult to obtain, in nine cases out of ten, the boy will not attempt to extract the bottle where considerable effort is involved, particularly if jirnmying or prying is necessary. if it involves a great deal of time to extract each bottle, the risk of being caught for the value (2 cents per bottle) received is hardly worth the effort. Therefore, for the purpose of a deterrent, a completely fool-proof anti-theft device is unnecessary. The prime consideration, is that the device be one that will sufficiently delay and hinder the culprit so as to make the task one not Worth the while.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bottle anti-theft device which will make removal of the bottle difficult and thereby substantially increase the risk of capture to the culprit.

Another object or" this invention is to provide an antitheft device which is attractive and decorative.

A further object of this invention is to provide an antitheft device which comprises a minimum number of parts.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an anti-theft device which is substantially tamper-proof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an antitheft device readily adaptable to various standard bottle racks presently in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an antitheft device for a container holder which will allow bottles or containers to be easily inserted in the holder.

Another object of this invention is to provide an antitheft device for container holders which will allow easy access to the container holder by authorized persons for the pur ose of removing the bottles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an anti-theft device for container holders that will be inexpensive and easy to manufacture, involve few parts, and provide along life in use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an anti-theft device for container holders that may be readily installed on any conventional type container holder or rack.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following specification, drawings, and claims.

in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an anti-theft device connected to a container holder or rack;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the anti-theft device and container holder of FEGURE 1 taken on lines 22 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front View of one form of the anti-theft device;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary partially in section of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 3 taken on lines 4-4- of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary partially'in section of the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 and illustrating a position'of the anti-theft device on the partial insertion of a container therein;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary front view of another form of the invention;

EZGURE 7 is a fragmentary partially in section of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 6 and taken on lines 7 7 of FIGURE 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary front view of another form of the invention;

FIGURE 8A is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification somewhat similar to FIGURE 8;

IGURE 9 is a fragmentary partially in section of another form of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary partially in section of another form of the invention;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary side view of another form of the invention;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of another form of the invention;

FiGURE 13 is a fragmentary partially in section of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 12 and taken on li es 13-13 of FIGURE 12 and looking in the direction or" the arrows;

FIGURES 14-17 show fragments partially in section illustratin various positions of the anti-theft device of FIGURES l2 and 13 on the insertion of a bottle thereinto.

FIGURES 1-5 1-4 show a standard container holder or bottle rack 1 including a plurality of container receptacles 2 spaced one from another by wire arms 3. The spaced container receptacles 2 include a bottom 4 and a container receiving opening 5. An anti-theft device It) is shown to be pi-votally connected to one edge of container holder 1 by hinge members 12. It is to be noted that for easy insert of the container C, and for purposes hereinafter described, the device 16, should be spaced somewhat from the openings 5. On the opposite side from hinge members 12 is a lock means 14 for connecting the anti-theft device it? to the container holder 1. Any suitable lock means, such as key operated looks or combination locks may be used. Also, a lock means similar to lock means it may be used instead of hinge members 12. It is possible for any suitable means to be used for connecting anti-theft device it to the container holder 1, as long as some means is provided to prevent unauthorized access to the container receptacle 2 of the container holder 1.

Anti-theft device It) includes a substantially rigid plate member 2:) having a plurality of spaced apertures or openings 22 therein. Plate member 20 may be made of any suitable material such as wood, metal, or plastic. The openings 22 may be punched from a sheet and the sheet die formed.

Each of the apertures 22 has a diameter greater than the diameter of a container to be inserted axially there through (see FIGURE 17) and each aperture 22 overlies an opening 5 of one of the container receptacles 2.

Anti-theft device includes a second plate member or flexible sheet (FIGURES 3 and 4) secured to the rear face of plate member 20. Plate member 3-9 may be secured to plate member Ztl'by any suitable means, e.g., member 30 maybe bonded by any suitable bonding agent or adhesive as at 32, or other suitable means. Heat bonding or vulcanization may also be used to secure the plate 30 to plate 20.

Sheet member 30 must be flexible but not too compressable for reasons hereinafter described. It should be of plastic material which will stand weathering because many of the racks where this invention will be used are set outdoors. Beading, recessing or notching may be provided in areas of the sheet 30 where necessary to enhance flexibility.

Plate member 30 includes a plurality of spaced apertures or openings 34 therein. Each aperture 34 includes a plurality of spaced projecting finger members blanked from the sheet 30. Slits 31 extend back from the edge of openings 34 to provide proper resiliency. They may not be necessary in all instances. Each of the finger memhers 40 include a first arm or leg portion 42 extending radially inwardly from the edge of aperture 34, and each of finger members 40 include a second arm or leg portion 44 extending upwardly from arm 42. Arm 44 has one wall substantially perpendicular to arm' 42 (as shown i in FIGURE 4). Arm 44 has a beveled wall portion 46 sloping in a direction to provide a greater thickness for arm 44 at the free end thereof than the thickness thereof at a point closer to arm 42. Arms 44 extend into aperture 22 so as to be in close proximity to or in close relationship with the wall of aperture 22. Any two of the finger members 40 of one aperture 22 have a distance therebetween less than the greatest diameter of a container to be received axially through aperture 22.

Finger members 40, can have some degree of flexibility throughout its entire length, have only arm 42 flexible, or only having a portion of arm 42 near the edge of aperture 34 flexible. Arm 44 includes a top wall portion or cam surface 48. It will be obvious that plate 30 may be made in one piece or in sections depending on the die costs involved.

Operation On the insertion of a container or bottle C axially through aperture 22, a portion of the container contacts 'wall or cam portion 48 and causes the flexible portion of the finger member 40 to flex, thereby permitting the 'bottle or container C to be inserted into one of container receiving means 2. Part of the camming action by the container or bottle C and the flexing of finger members 40 is shown in FIGURE 5.

After the container or bottle C is inserted into container receiving means 2, finger members 49 flex back ture 22. Also, plate member 20 acts as a stop or abutment means for arms 42. The finger members 40 thereby form a locking means by co-action with plate member 20 to prevent removal of the bottle C.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 3-5,

and in hereafter mentioned forms of the invention, it is desirable to have spacing between adjacent finger members to allow the finger members to retain their normal position after the insertion of a container. This spacing is particularly desirable when container racks have containers therein lying at an angle from horizontal or vertical positions as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. For purposes of best utilizing the structural design, the fingers should be angled with respect to the horizontal, two at the top and two at the bottom of the aperture 22 facing towards each other. This permits the fingers or arms 42 to snap back without interference with the bottle C. It is also to be noted that the spaces S and S diagonally between the apertures 22 and 34 allow for more material to work with than the horizontal or vertical spacing between apertures 22. It will thus be obvious that the bonding in the spaces S and S may be suflicient to maintain the entire sheet 3% in position on the plate 20.

FIGURES 6 and 7 FIGURE 6 shows a modified form of an anti-theft device 19A including a substantially rigid plate member 23A. Plate member 20A wall includes a plurality of spaced apertures 22A (not shown), with each aperture 22A having a diameter greater than the greatest diameter of a container or bottle to be received axially therethrough. Secured to a face of plate member 29A is a second plate member 30A secured at 32A by any suitable means such as adhesive or the like.

Plate member 36A includes a plurality of spaced apertures 34A therein (not shown). Aperture 34A is defined by a group of flexible finger members 40A extending radially inwardly from the edge of aperture 34A. The free ends of finger members 4A define the edge or wall of aperture 34A. Each finger member 4ilA includes a top wall portion or cam surface 42A substantially in line with a face of plate member 39A adjacent plate member 2A. Each finger member 49A includes a wall portion 44A adjacent a wall 44A of another finger member 40A. Each finger member 4i A includes a bottom wall portion 46A having a length less than the length of wall portion 42A and positioned substantially parallel to wall 42A. Each finger member 49A includes a beveled wall portion 48A extending between wall portion 42A and wall portion 46A and tapering outwardly.

A portion of each of finger member 40A underlies a portion of plate member 26A and another portion thereof underlies a portion of aperture 22A. In eflect the plate 39A is slotted from the opening 34A to slightly beyond the edge of the plate 28A, by radial slots 51A.

Apertures 34A have a diameter less than the greatest diameter of a container or bottle to be inserted axially therethrough.

The flexible portion of the finger members 49A may be similar to that described for the finger members 40 of FIGURES 1-5.

Operation After a container or bottle is inserted axially through aperture 22A and aperture 34A, the finger members 40A will return to their normal position. If an attempt is made to pull the container out, plate member 26A will provide a stop portion for limiting the movement of a portion of finger member 40A which underlies the plate member 219A. On continued movement of the container,

.another portion of the finger member will act as a wedge between a wall of aperture 22A and the container C,

thereby reducing the diameter of the aperture to less than that of the bottle C to prevent the removal thereof.

FIGURE 8 greatest diameter of a container to be received axially therethrough. Secured to plate member 56 is a second plate member including a plurality of spaced apertures therein (not shown). Each aperture of the second plate member includes one member 76 extending radially inwardly from the edge thereof. Finger member 70 includes a wall portion 72 at the free end thereof. Finge member 7i: also includes wall portions '74 and 76 and adjacent outer edge wall portion '72. Finger member 7%) includes a portion tr ereof underlying plate member 5%. Finger member 7i; has a length and width suificient to provide a construction of the aperture 52 when an attempt is made to withdraw a bottle C after insertion. The flexible portion of finger member it? may be similar to any of the before mentioned forms of the finger members, and the free end portion of finger member 7% may be of any of the before mentioned and hereafter mentioned shapes.

FIGURE 8A FIGURE SA shows another modification in which the plate 59A supports individually secured fingers 753A. The fingers to are secured individually as desired by adhesive or the like to the back of the plate 59A and extend into the opening 52A. in this modification, each individual opening such as 52A would have a series of fingers secured to the plate 59A and arranged in the manner herein described. There would not be a backing sheet as described in other modifications. The fingers could be formed to any of the configurations as set out.

FIGURE 9 The anti-theft device lt C of FIGURE 9 includes a substantially rigid plate member 3% having a plurality of spaced apertures 82 therein only one being shown. The anti-theft device l-C also includes a second plate member 99 secured at 92 to plate member 36. Plate member includes a plurality of spaced apertures fist therein only one being shown. Aperture 9-:- includes a plurality of spaced flexible finger members extending radially inwardly from the edge thereof. Each finger member includes a leg or arm portion 1&2 underlying a portion of plate member Sfi and has a leg or arm portion 3G4 extending into aperture 82 at substantially at an obtuse angle from arm portion 162. Le portion 1% includes a wall portion or cam surface 1% and another wall portion 1&8 at the free end thereof. Wall portion 159 provides a similar function to that disclosed for wall portion of FIGURE 4. The nexibility of finger members 1th; is similar to that described for finger members 2%.

operation of anti-theft device 113C is similar to the operation disclosed for FlGURES l- FIGURE 10 The anti-theft device 16D shown in FIGURE 10 includes a substantially rigid plate member 119 having a plurality of spaced apertures 11?. therein only one being shown. Secured at 129 to plate member 11%) is a second plate member 122. Plate member 122 includes a plurality of spaced apertures 124 only one being shown, and each of the apertures 12 includes a plurality of spaced flexible finger members 126 extending radially inwardly from the edge of aperture 124. Each finger member 12 includes a first leg or arm portion 13 underlying a portion of plate member 11% Each finger member 12 includes a second leg or arm portion 132 extending upward into aperture 112 and is positioned substantially perpendicular to leg portion 13%). Leg portion 132 includes a wall portion 13-.- positioned adjacent to a wall of aperture ll... Leg portion 332. includes a second wall portion $.36 beveled from the free end of arm portion 132 in a direction so as to provide a small-er thickness for arm portion 132 at the free end thereof less than the thickness at a point closer to arm portion 136. Wall portion 13-5 provides a cam surface for the container when i} the container is inserted axially through apertures 112 and 124. The flexibility of finger members 126 is simi lar to that described for finger members 4%).

The operation of anti-theft device 16D is similar to anti-theft device iii.

FIGURE 11 FIGURE 11 shows another form of the invention including a container holder 1A and an anti-theft device lttE secured to the front thereof. Also included in this form of the invention is another anti-theft device of any of the before mentioned types secured within each of the container receiving means 2A and designated lfiF. Anti-theft device 19F may be secured to container receiving means 2A by any suitable means, and each of the container receiving means 2A may include means for disengaging the anti-theft device 19F by authorized people or may include an alternate means for removing the container C therefrom. This form of the invention provides for a dual means for preventing the unauthorized removal of a container from the container holder. A removable locl; would permit release of the bottles C.

FIGURES 12-17 FIGURE 12 shows an anti-theft device designated MG and secured by hinges etc. or any suitable means to a portable container or bottle crate 1B.

FIGURES 13-17 illustrate the movement or the finger members of the various forms of this invention during the insertion of a container C into a container holder. FiGURES 13-17 also show another form of the antitheft device 196 including a first plate member 14% including a plurality of spaced apertures 142 therein only one being shown. Secured at 159 to plate member 149 is a second plate member 152. Plate member 152 includes a plurality of spaced apertures 154 therein only one being shown. Apertures 154 include a plurality of spaced flexible finger members 15% extending radially inwardly from the edge of wall of aperture 154. Finger members 155 include a first arm or leg portion 158 underlying a portion of plate member 149. Each finger member 156 includes a second leg or arm portion 166 extending upwardly through aperture 142. Arm portion lot includes a beveled wall portion 1-52 beveled in an outward and upward direction. Wall portion 162 provides a cam surface for the container C. The flexibility of finger members 155 may be similar to that disclosed for finger members 40.

FIGURE 14 shows the initial insertion of a container C into the anti-theft device 19G and shows the fiexing or movement of the finger members 156.

FIGURE 15 shows a position of the finger members 155 on further movement of the container C into a container receiving means underlying the anti-theft device 166.

FIGURE 16 shows the container C seated in the container holder 13 and shows the finger members 15s at their normal position.

FIGURE 17 illustrates that the container C can not be removed from the container holder 13 due to the fact that the aperture 142 has been constricted to form an opening in cross-sectional area less than the greatest crosssectional area occupied by container C (illustrated by line A).

The various forms of the anti-theft device may be secured to any suitable type container holder and may be connected by any suitable means.

The flexible finger members of the various forms of the invention provide ample access means to insert a container into the container holder and provide a lock or retaining means to prevent the unauthorized removal of the container therefrom providing the plastic material of the underlying sheet member is not too compressible.

If it compresses too much, sufficient force when applied to the bottle C will deform the plastic permitting withdrawal of the bottle C. It is recommended that hard rubber-like materials be used, and even teflon, nylon and the like having limited flexibility may be used. Instead of a sheet having multiple apertures, individual apertured units or cells could be constructed and later assembled to provide the proper number of openings desired.

\Vhile the invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. An anti-theft device for preventing the removal of containers from storage racks comprising a rigid, onepiece, non-deformable front plate, said front plate having a plurality of openings therein for receiving the containers, said openings therein for receiving the containers, said openings generally conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the containers and having a cross-sectional area greater than the greatest cross-sectional area of the containers to permit the containers toreadily pass therethrough, a onepiece, flexible, resilient, generally non-compressible backing plate secured to the back of said front plate, said backing plate having a plurality of openings therein aligned with the openings in said front plate, the openings in said backing plate having a cross-sectional area substantially less than the greatest cross-sectional area of the containers, whereby when the containers are passed through said front plate openings for storage in a rack, said backing plate will fiex sufficiently to permit passage of the containers through said backing plate openings, and whereby when an attempt is made to remove the containers, said backing plate will cooperate with the opening in said front plate to form a constriction therein, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of said front plate opening to less than the greatest cross-sectional area of the container thereby preventing removal of the container from the rack, said front plate having a plurality of enlarged surface areas, said enlarged surface areas being located between at least three of said openings, said backing plate being secured to said front plate at said enlarged surfaced areas, fingers projecting from said backing plate into said openings and radially extending from adjacent said enlarged surface areas.

2. An anti-theft device as in claim 1, and wherein said backing plate includes a plurality of radial fingers normally projecting into its opening, said fingers normally extending into the opening of said front plate.

3. An anti-theft device as in claim 1, and said backing plate including a series of radially spaced slots extending outwardly from said backing plate opening. 4. An anti-theft device as in claim 3, and wherein said slots define a series of radial fingers, said fingers being beveled toward said backing plate opening on the backside of said backing plate.

5. An anti-theft device as in claim 2, and wherein said fingers each include a tip and a body portion, said tips projecting at an angle with respect to said body portion, said tips extending into the opening in said front plate.

, 6. An anti-theft device as in claim 5, and wherein said tips each include a wedging surface.

7. An anti-theft device as in claim 6, and wherein said tips each include a camming surface.

8. An anti-theft device as in claim 7 and wherein said camming surface is normally parallel to the surface of said body portion.

9. An anti-theft device as in claim 7, and wherein said camming surface is beveled,

It An anti-theft device as in claim 7, and wherein said camming surface includes a pair of beveled surfaces.

11. In combination with a container storage rack having a series of spaced receptacles, an anti-theft device releasively secured to said rack, locking means on said rack preventing unauthorized release of said anti-theft device, said anti-theft device including a rigid, one-piece, nondeforrnable front plate, said front plate having a plurality of openings therein each aligned with one of said spaced receptacles for receiving a container, said openings generally conforming to the cross-sectional shape of a container and having cross-sectional areas greater than the greatest cross-sectional area of a container to permit a container to readily pass therethrough, a one-piece, flexible, resilient, generally non-compressible backing plate secured to the back of said front plate, said backing plate having a series of openings therein aligned with the openings of said front plate and each aligned with one of said spaced receptacles, the openings in said backing plate having a cross-sectional area substantially less than the greatest cross-sectional area of a container whereby when a container is passed through said front plate openings for storage in said space receptacles in said rack, said backing plate will flex sufiiciently to permit passage of said containers through said backing plate openings, and whereby when an attempt is made to remove said containers, said backing plate will cooperate with the openings in said front plate to form constrictions therein, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of said front plate openings to less than the greatest cross-sectional area of the container thereby preventing removal of a container from said rack, said front plate having a plurality of enlarged surface areas, said enlarged surface areas being located between at least three of said openings, said backing plate being secured to said front plate at said enlarged surface areas, and fin ers normally projecting from said backing plate into said openings and radially extending from adjacent said enlarged surface areas.

12. An anti-theft device as in claim 11, and wherein said anti-theft device is spaced outwardly a short distance from the front of said rack.

13. An anti-theft device as in claim 11, and wherein said rack includes a series of individual second anti-theft devices for each container, said second anti-theft devices being positioned within each of said spaced receptacles.

14. An anti-theft device as in claim 11, and wherein said rack is a removable bottle crate, and said anti-theft device includes a skirt secured and locked to said crate.

15. An anti-theft device for preventing removal of containers from storage racks comprising a rigid, onepiece, non-deformable front plate, said front plate having an opening therein for receiving containers, said opening generally conforming to the cross-sectional shape of a container and having a cross-sectional area greater than the greatest cross-sectional area of the container to permit a container to readily pass therethrough, a one-piece, flexible, resilient, non-compressible backing member secured to the back of said front plate adjacent said opening, said backing member including a flexible finger a portion of which normally projects into said front plate opening, said finger portion being capable of flexing to a constricted position within said opening, said finger portion when flexed to a position within said opening being of a thickness such that the cross-sectional area of said constricted opening is substantially less than the greatest cross-sectional area of said container, whereby when said containers pass through said front plate opening for storage in the rack, said backing member will flex sufiiciently to permit passage of said container through said opening, and whereby when an attempt is made to remove said container said finger portion will cooperate with said opening to form a constriction therein, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of said front plate opening to less Q 10 07 than the greatest cross-sectional area of said containers 2,487,109 11/49 Deichert 29487.2 thereby preventing removal of said containers from said 2,956,687 10/60 Robichaud 21174 rack. 3,003,644 10/61 Hildebrand 211-481 16. An anti-theft device as in claim 15, and wherein 3,142,385 7/64 Kahlenberg 217-19 said finger portion normally projects into said front plate 5 3,151,761 8/64 Cloyd et al 220-21 opening.

FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited by the Examiner 130,054 11/48 Australia- UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,045 3/44 Great Britain. 566,135 8/96 Burns 232-41.2 l0

2 173 017 9/39 Hornsby 232 41 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE REMOVAL OF CONTAINERS FROM STORAWGE RACKS COMPRISING A RIGID, ONEPIECE, NON-DEFORMABLE FRONT PLATE, SAID FRONT PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING THE CONTAINERS, SAID OPENINGS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING THE CONTAINERS, SAID OPENINGS GENERALLY CONFORMING TO THE CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE OF THE CONTAINERS AND HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE THAN THE GREATEST CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE CONTAINERS TO PERMIT THE CONTAINERS TO READILY PASS THERETHROUGH, A ONEPIECE, FLEXIBLE, RESILIENT, GENERALLY NON-COMPRESSIBLE BACKING PLATE SECURED TO THE BACK OF SAID FRONT PLATE, SAID BACKING PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS THEREIN ALIGNED WITH T HE OPENINGS IN SAID FRONT PLATE, THE OPENINGS IN SAID BACKING PLATE HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE GREATEST CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE CONTAINERS, WHEREBY WHEN THE CONTAINERS ARE PASSED THROUGH SAID FRONT PLATE OPENINGS FOR STORAGE IN A RACK, SAID BACKING PLKATE WILL FLEX SUFFICIENTLY TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF THE CONTAINER THROUGH SAID BACKING PLATE OPENINGS, AND WHEREBY WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO REMOVE THE CONTAINERS, SAID BACKING PLATE WILL COOPERATE WITH THE OPENING IN SAID FRONT PLATE TO FORM A CONSTRICTION THEREIN, THEREBY REDUCING THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID FRONT 